Qtown starts with one thing for me every visit and that is a Fergburger followed by a couple of tea pots at the World bar. After this you'll be buzzing and ready to get stuck into the mountains. Beware Fergburgers are addictive and big. Match your appetite.

If you have car hire I would guess you have a package deal. Check you insurance covers up and down mountain trip as NZ roads are all gravel, except for Coronet Peak. Check your chains as well and practice fitting them - make sure you use them. There are always multiple reports of people going off the edge. I don't recommend car hire for first timers, inexperienced drivers or not confident drivers. Catch the shuttles, they are driven by guides (usually) who drive the mountains for a living.

Snowpark - if you live to ride park then the snow park is for you. If you are starting out in the park, I recommend Cardrona for learning park - in saying that there are beginner areas in the snowpark. And another but, if you are really first time, you might get frustrated wiht the Nowpark and at least you can free baord at place like Cardrona as well. I actually learnt in the park at Cardrona. Remarks is not bad. Never ventured into parks at Treblecone or Coronet Peak.

Off trail - Remarkables stands out for me. Take the Shadow basin chair. There are some great chutes - but traverse across the Highway and head down the Homeward runs - it qualifies them as a Black run, but I would class it as a good intermediate. It is a marked run on the trail map, but eveytime I have been there it is not groomed and makes great powder runs. Watch out for the creek/gully at the bottom, can get icy or whopped out.

When the snow is falling Treble Cone rocks with its natural half pipe and bowl terrain - when its off, it gets real sketchy and icy.

Coronet Peak has a night Ski opportunity and is closet to Qtown. They have cool DJ's at the night boards. Good party if you get on a bus for the night.

To go off trail at most of the NZ mountains I recommend getting a guide for the morning and working from there. The locals know the best spots and generally really friendly to share the knowledge.

To Tank'donSnow: hey thanks for the info on Qtown. I have not been to QT before, very keen. Can you tell roughly how much to budget for 2 heads 3 night stay in QT and any recommendations on accommodation. Not worried about luxury stuff. I know there is a lot of info on tourist guides but just wanted an advice of someone experienced practically knowing all ins and outs.

Cheers

Recommend Pinewood Lodge - good value, good variety of room types, short walk to middle of Qtown. Food and drinks to have a good time I would think about $AUD250. Remember our dollar goes further. This would guarantee a very good time. See above email for recommended spots. Also Check out local gig guides as well. Stay away from backpacker joints to crowded and things go missing from you person (be careful). Look for the local less crowded places. They all have great atmospheres.

dude.. fergburgers are the S*(TS! How good are they?? Best burgers in NZ for sure!

they need to make them in Sydney too :(

We make our own Fergburgers ... Calle dthe 659 Burger. We bought the menu back and did you know on the Fergburger website you can keep upto date with there menu changes. Our specialty is our Feather Porky (aka Cockadoodle Oink) - materfoods tomato relish is the secret.

dude.. fergburgers are the S*(TS! How good are they?? Best burgers in NZ for sure!

they need to make them in Sydney too :(

We make our own Fergburgers ... Calle dthe 659 Burger. We bought the menu back and did you know on the Fergburger website you can keep upto date with there menu changes. Our specialty is our Feather Porky (aka Cockadoodle Oink) - materfoods tomato relish is the secret.

im going to have to try this. i didnt think it would be possible to make one without their special ingredients.

i love their venison burger. im getting hungry again, i could go for one right now.

Season 2008 in NZ - after a epic day at TC (Treble Cone) hitting the natural half pipes full of powder, I relaxed at Shooters Bar with a couple of beers and was enjoying all the sites of Lake Wanaka and everything that was walking past.

I was joined out of the deck by a couple of more punters ... they started talking, they were yanks. Being the friendly Aussie/Adopted Kiwi I got chatting with them, shared some stories and a couple of beers. They'd been out heli-boarding which got me exctied as I was heading out the next day (for my first runs out of Wanaka).

After a while I introduced myself and they replied "I am Curt and I am Travis". Another beer later and few more conversations and it hits me ... he is sitting the guy in the world of snowboarding I worship - AKA Travis Rice. Along side his producer Curt Morgan.

A nearly broke into hysteria like a giddy school girl with a crush - but I maintained my composure and took another pull on my beer and said "must be awesome doing what you love everyday". Couple more shouts went on and they had to go.

They were great guys and left me some tickets at the door of the NZ premiere of "That's it, that's all". Needless to say I am a fan - a huge fan. Ended up partying later with Travis and the crew and hangers on at some random bar in Wanaka. Signed "That's it, that's all" poster and t-shirt to boot.

At the premiere I was in the upper section as I was late in there - taking advantage of some free beers and talking crap I ends up standing with Torah Bright and her crew -WOW! again.

Truly an epic night ... followed the next day by an Epic Heliboard with Harris Mountain Heliski .... and Torah Bright was in our group - this was her first time heli-boarding. After one run she smoked everyone.

Where is the film piece shot is NZ ie. the beginning - from my recollection it was out in the valley toward the Southern Alps that link to Mt Cook - the majority of snow action was filmed at the NZ Snowpark.

Season 2008 in NZ - after a epic day at TC (Treble Cone) hitting the natural half pipes full of powder, I relaxed at Shooters Bar with a couple of beers and was enjoying all the sites of Lake Wanaka and everything that was walking past.

I was joined out of the deck by a couple of more punters ... they started talking, they were yanks. Being the friendly Aussie/Adopted Kiwi I got chatting with them, shared some stories and a couple of beers. They'd been out heli-boarding which got me exctied as I was heading out the next day (for my first runs out of Wanaka).

After a while I introduced myself and they replied "I am Curt and I am Travis". Another beer later and few more conversations and it hits me ... he is sitting the guy in the world of snowboarding I worship - AKA Travis Rice. Along side his producer Curt Morgan.

A nearly broke into hysteria like a giddy school girl with a crush - but I maintained my composure and took another pull on my beer and said "must be awesome doing what you love everyday". Couple more shouts went on and they had to go.

They were great guys and left me some tickets at the door of the NZ premiere of "That's it, that's all". Needless to say I am a fan - a huge fan. Ended up partying later with Travis and the crew and hangers on at some random bar in Wanaka. Signed "That's it, that's all" poster and t-shirt to boot.

At the premiere I was in the upper section as I was late in there - taking advantage of some free beers and talking crap I ends up standing with Torah Bright and her crew -WOW! again.

Truly an epic night ... followed the next day by an Epic Heliboard with Harris Mountain Heliski .... and Torah Bright was in our group - this was her first time heli-boarding. After one run she smoked everyone.

Where is the film piece shot is NZ ie. the beginning - from my recollection it was out in the valley toward the Southern Alps that link to Mt Cook - the majority of snow action was filmed at the NZ Snowpark.

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